As soon as he heard Lord Viggo's words, Hiccup stiffened, forcing his head not to snap around and stare worriedly at Astrid. He had already realised that Viggo Grimborn was a very dangerous and completely callous man and he had a very nasty feeling that he would pick up on any mis-step on his part. Quietly, he patted Fury then walked towards Stormfly and took the reins as well before he became aware that steps were approaching. His knuckles tightened on the reins as General Ryker and Lord Viggo had turned back and stopped before the imposter and the disguised princess. Bearing his previous words in mind, Hiccup felt a cold sweat stand out on the back of his neck.

"So you have sworn your fealty to me yet, girl?" Astrid's eyebrows arched and she stared flatly back.

"If you wish to engage me in your permanent service as a knight of your household, Lord Viggo, then I would be delighted," she said, guessing the rules were different for a wandering knight-and then her eyes snapped to the tall shape standing to her right. "Boy! Recite the relevant regulations-and be quick, before you feel the weight of my hand!" Hiccup dipped his head meekly, though he knew all the regulations governing the area word perfect.

"Yes, Milady," he said clearly. "A knight only swears his fealty and his life to a Lord to whom he has entered the pact with, whereby the nobleman takes him into his house and afford him long-term protection, food, water, weapons, medical aid and whatever else he may need, in return for his sword and his life to be used in whichever service the Lord requires. General Ryker engaged you as a mercenary sword and thus you owe no loyalty and no service beyond that which he specified in the verbal contract-in your case, to fight in his army against the Berserkers. Beyond that, you owe him naught though other duties and privileges may be negotiated on an item by item basis."

He was rewarded by Viggo's thick brows dipping very slightly and the curt nod he afforded the young squire. "Your apprentice is well-retained indeed," he observed smoothly and turned away, leaning close to his brother. "Keep a watch on that girl, Ryker. She may be pretty and spirited but one misplaced cog may break the entire machine." And then he swept away. Instantly, the patrol began to disperse and Hiccup watched as the men returned their horses to the stables and then headed back to their barracks.

"So what next?" Astrid murmured, turned to him and he sighed.

"I guess we-well, I-stable the horses and then we find what accommodation has been assigned to you," he said, stroking Fury's neck. The horse whinnied. "No, I don't trust him either, bud," he mumbled.

"I'm coming with you," she decided and grabbed Stormfly's reins. "I want to see where my horse is going to be housed..." She walked alongside. "And we need to find out how it was that they knew about...the missing Princess..." Emerald eyes flicked up and a worried expression met her own.

"Only one way," Hiccup confirmed grimly. "Someone from Berk is here."

oOo

Once the horses were groomed and stabled-and Hiccup had been surprised that Astrid had insisted on tending her own horse, though she had completed the task with skill and precision-they headed up to find food and their accommodation. 'Knight Sif' had been assigned a tiny room high up in the furthest tower while 'Squire Henrik' was to bed down with the other stable boys and menials. And while that was, in fact, his rightful place, Hiccup was concerned that he was a long way from Astrid in case she needed him. But she had smiled and reminded him that she could bar the door and had a sword as well as the axe she had managed to wheedle from the armoury. So she had gone off to dine with the other officers in the army-on Viggo's invitation-while he had trudged to the kitchen to be awarded a bowl of sloppy gruel and a hunk of inedible possibly-bread.

It was possibly the worst meal he had been served anywhere but he was starving so he quietly forced himself to eat it-while carefully eyeing the kitchen and noting the way to the stores, where he was hoping to steal dried fish and yak jerky, bread and dried fruit and plenty of water.  He was determined they couldn't be caught without any supplies again. All he had to do was to avoid the cooks catching him-and alerting Viggo of his actions. But until then, he needed to keep his head down and not attract any attention. 

It was only his natural propensity for heading for the back of the kitchen to eat quietly alone and free of scrutiny-and persecution-that had enabled him to stealthily watch the arrival of a group of strangers-dressed in the horribly familiar armour of the Berk squires. Dogsbreath, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Halvard all wandered in and helped themselves to the miserable offering, then started complaining at the tops of their voices until the cook produced the thick vegetable stew that was being served to the proper soldiers-as well as crusty bread and ale. Groaning inwardly, Hiccup forced himself to take another mouthful of his horrible meal. They could all recognise him-and Astrid.

But he put his head down and hunched up more as they settled on the table in front of him, paying scant attention to the skinny squire with the bandaged head.

"D'you think Snot and Thuggory are having a better time than we are?" Halvard asked discontentedly and Ruff nodded.

"Pretty much everyone else in the world is," she admitted. "I mean, riding through the mountains in the snow with Snotlout Jorgensen whinging the entire way and ending up here in Hunter lands, looking for the Princess-what's not to love?"

"But we know from the trail that this was the only way they could have come," Fishlegs commented. "Though heading direct for Reaper through the mountains may have gotten us ahead of them."

"Do you really think that Useless had a hand in kidnapping the Princess?" Dogsbreath asked, chewing his bread. The husky boy stared at him.

"Are you kidding?" he asked incredulously. "Hiccup was the best of all of us..."

"Three years ago, maybe," Tuffnut reminded him. "But since then, he's been busy slaving in the kitchens and stables..."

"And yet he rescued the Princess from Alvin and got her away," Ruff commented.

"It was a good story that he has manipulated her into going with him," Dogsbreath commented. "Lord Viggo's men all seemed rightfully outraged..."

As if they needed any more reason to hate me, Hiccup thought bitterly.

"Though anyone who knows the Princess will realise that's yak dung," Ruff put in. "Astrid is a strong woman and won't take any rubbish from anyone. She's probably killed him already!"

"Just keep your eyes open," Halvard reminded them. "Thuggory reckons that Hiccup will try to hide here before they try to loop round and get back to Berk. He knows Hiccup will want to clear his name-and if he and the Princess arrive back, they will betray just how culpable we all were in losing her. We have to get to him first-and silence him." They all rose, though Hiccup didn't fail to notice the uneasy looks shared between Ruff and Fishlegs. "Let's see if we can find them anywhere..."

They had barely left the kitchens when Hiccup was on his feet and racing out the back door, heart pounding and head spinning with a toxic mixture of shock, fear and betrayal. Shock that they had caught up, fear at what they would do to him-and the Princess-to silence them and betrayal at the news that Thuggory was there and apparently leading the efforts to shift the blame for everything onto the young man he had pretended to befriend and had than callously used for his own ends. A definite doubt that he had been that inebriated he was unable to ride flickered through his brain and for a moment, he had to stop and rest his hand against the wall, dizzy with the implications.

It had been Hiccup's own desperation that had allowed him to be used like this, his despair at his lowly state and his lingering and utterly hopeless determination to take the Tests that had made him vulnerable and gullible. Had he said no, Thuggory would have sworn at him and thrown him out-with a mouthful of cruel taunts-but he would still be safe in Berk castle.

And Astrid would still be with Alvin.

Dammit, Gobber had been right.

He closed his eyes. His father had always told him that the Norns wove the pattern of a man's life to their own design and that for some, the way was much harder than others-though the rewards would be that much greater. But at this moment, feeling hunted, trapped and betrayed, it was very hard for the young man to believe that there was anything positive out there for him. His father was still dead, at best he was still a drudge and even if he got her out of here and back to Berk, Astrid would continue treating him like the nothing he was. Maybe he was just fooling himself in clinging to a dream that was shattered when his father gave his life for an ungrateful King.

"There he is!" The shout snapped him from his miserable reverie and he looked up-to see Yorgi and a handful of his patrol barrelling down the corridor towards him. Instinct took over-because they would hardly be after him for any good reason-and he turned and sprinted off in the opposite direction. He had no idea where he was or where he was going but away was good enough for him. But as he raced down the long passage, he could see a dead end up ahead-with only a door to his left. Without hesitating, he wrenched it open and sped through, slamming it behind him and sliding the bolt into the housing. It was loose, old and rusty and probably wouldn't hold for long but he could take what lead he could as he raced along a narrow passage and then into what looked like a wide store-room with barrels stacked to one side, a few bags of grain and crates of salted fish heaped between some wide brick columns supporting the great hall above. Strangely, there was a large cage in the centre of the room, containing...a large black animal. Hiccup's eyes widened as he stared at a smooth scaly shape with a flattened head, huge acid-green eyes and four solid legs supporting a lithe and sleek body. And folded across its back, there were wings.

It was a dragon.

Hiccup reeled. Dragons had been common in Berk hundreds of years earlier but they were considered extinct now, maybe the odd small one clinging to an isolated corner of the highest northern mountains. But this was a large beast, caged and trapped by the Hunters...who had gotten their name from hunting and trading dragons, back in the old days.

Not so old after all, he thought in shock, inching round the periphery of the room. There was a double door at the far side that he hoped would open into the yard-because the beast had to have been brought in here somehow-and that could be his escape. Thor knew, he needed some luck...

A crash jolted him back to his senses and he heard footsteps approach. Without thinking, he dived behind a listing pile of barrels of salt fish and ducked down, trying to control his breathing as Sergeant Yorgi and his cronies erupted into the room. They cast around the space, eyes narrowing as they spied the black shape.

"Little bastard has to be in here somewhere!" the sergeant grunted, narrowed eyes inspecting the room. "Check the doors. If they're still closed, he's got to be in here!"

"Or he could have bolted them like he did that last one," a pig-faced soldier suggested, earning himself a glare from Yorgi.

"He's slippery-but not enough," the sergeant snapped. "When we get him, he'll pay for interfering!"

Yeah, I've learned that lesson well enough, Hiccup thought grimly, trying hard not to breathe at all. The men began poking at the gaps between and behind the stores, watched silently by the dragon...until they approached the barrels of salt fish, when an audible growl sounded. Yorgi froze.

"Did that lizard just growl at us?" a short, chunky soldier asked scornfully. Yorgi gave a nasty scowl, turning to the cage and peering at the imprisoned dragon and walking boldly up to the cage.

"You know, their are hardly any of these big dragons left," he said conversationally, "and the Lord Viggo is very keen to ensure that he captures those that remain-and sells them for maximum profit. This here is probably the last of his kind-and he wants to slay the beast himself..." He gave a nasty, yellow grin. "But he said nothing about hurting it." And then he jabbed his spear hard into the dragon's hip, drawing blood. It gave an ear-shattering bellow and writhed in pain to the limits of its very cramped cage.

"Let me have a go!" the pig-faced soldier called urgently and abandoned his pursuit of Hiccup, turning to stab his own spear into the dragon's rump. It howled in pain and snapped at the tormenting spear. But Yorgi slashed at it, slicing into the flattened head and narrowly missing an eye.  The pained whimper was pitiful to hear and Hiccup, wounded as he was, couldn't bear it any more.

A knight protects the weak and helpless, he reminded himself.  But the laws of chivalry never specified species. He looked around, found a net of very squashy turnips that had clearly passed their best a month or more earlier and grabbed the nearest one, launching it to collide with Yorgi's head. He cried out as the rotting mush splattered his face. The others turned to find the escapee-but he was already pelting them hard and accurately with the foul dregs until they backed away, running back the way they had come. It was only when he heard the door slam that Hiccup breathed a sigh of relief and lowered the squishy missile in his hand. And finally he turned his attention to the dragon.

It was whimpering it its cage and as he popped his head up and slowly inched towards it, he could see the fresh wound marking its sleek black hide-alongside paler scars from previous wounds. And for a long, nauseated moment, he wondered how long this poor wild animal had been caged here, separated from the wind and forest and sky that it must have missed with all its heart. Its green eyes were focussed on him, the pupils narrowed into slits and he realised the dragon's flanks were heaving in pain  and its ribs were hard against its flesh.

It was starving as well as imprisoned.

He dropped the turnip and looked at the wretched creature, feeling a definite pity and kinship for the dragon that seemed to be in almost as big a mess as he was. Then he stared into the wide eyes and sighed.

"I know you probably can't believe me-or even understand me," he said quietly, "but I mean you no harm." He paused. "I-I want to thank you. You tried to warn them off from finding me, didn't you?" The dragon blinked and offered a faint, weary croon. "Thanks," Hiccup repeated, inching closer. "Look I can see you are starving." He looked around. "I guess you don't fancy the turnips, do you?" This time there was a definite growl. "Maybe...fish?"

The dragon nodded and his ears pricked for the first time, pupils widening and giving him a less threatening look. Hiccup nodded.

"I don't know how long it will be before those idiots come back, but until then, I'll do what I can," he promised and managed to pry the lid off a barrel of salt cod. He grabbed a couple of fish and cautiously poked the first through the bars-and almost lost his hand as the dragon snapped it up, polishing it off in a couple of eager bites. The second fish went the same way and Hiccup stared, shocked. "Um...any more?" There was another nod and he walked back, fetching another couple. And another.

In the end, the dragon finished almost the entire barrel but before he handed over the last one, Hiccup stretched his hand out and the dragon gently pressed his blunt muzzle against his grimy skin, his mouth stretching into a delighted smile as he felt the warmth against his skin and the huff of warm breath caress his skin. Finally, he sighed.

"I think you've eaten it all," he admitted and the dragon gave a little warble, one ear pricked and the other tilted. He looked as if he was thinking and Hiccup, amazed at the fact he was talking to and touching such a unique creature, gave a smile. There was a pause as the dragon's mouth twitched and moved into a strange, gummy smile as the boy's emerald eyes widened in amazement. "Toothless?" He murmured. "I could have sworn you had..."

The door slammed open and Hiccup barely had time to dive behind a net of tubers before Lord Viggo walked confidently in, his dark hazel eyes sweeping covetously over the black dragon. The dragon growled his retractable teeth snapping down as Viggo's measured steps slowly circled the cage and then he stopped.

"The last Night Fury," he said calmly. "Pity. Had there been another, I could have kept you for breeding-but as the sole remaining representative of your species, I have to take the maximum profit from you before you wither and age...though of course, no one knows how long your kind lasts."

Not long with your men tormenting the poor beast, Hiccup thought angrily, his fists clenching at what he had witnessed-and what he was hearing.

"So tomorrow is the big day, Night Fury," Viggo said, staring into the wide green eyes. "There are a myriad of uses I can put your various parts to and I can't afford to waste such an important resource. So enjoy your last night, Night Fury. In the morning, I'll have my abattoir men slaughter you and take you apart for my profit." He reached out to a growl as the dragon bared its teeth  and glared at him. "Almost a shame," he added thoughtfully, withdrawing his hand. "But business is business."

And then he left, the door slamming shut, leaving Hiccup staring at the caged dragon and realising, no matter what, he couldn't let Viggo kill the beast. Somehow, he would have to free it. And then he groaned. He had Viggo's soldiers to avoid-and the squires from Berk.

"Thor, you don't make it easy, do you?" He murmured as he stared over at the dragon. It looked depressed and fearful and Hiccup guessed that the creature understood more than he could imagine. "Toothless, I won't let him kill you. I promise I will get you out of here..." He paused. "I just have no clue how."

oOo

Astrid-as Knight Sif-was dining with the officers, though discreetly at the back with her hood up and head bowed as she forced herself to eat sloppily like the rest of the men. The tuition of years, the efforts of etiquette coaches and expensive tutors had to be consciously and forcibly shoved aside as she tried not to eat like a noble lady...but she did listen out to the familiar voices of the Berk squires who had clearly ridden in. And though a large part of her wanted to just declare herself and get herself safely escorted back home to Berk by her loyal and sworn men, a smaller but still vociferous part reminded her that Hiccup would be in mortal peril if she left him. His only hope of redemption was if he brought her back safely and she spoke up for him.

Guard Captain Spitelout was leaning over and talking brashly to Ryker, buttering up the big Grimborn brother and boasting of his own prowess. 

"We've tracked the stolen Princess to Outcast and then over the mountains to your territory, my Lord," he explained. "The boy who enticed her away from the bosom of her family is the son of a traitor, an underhand and cunning little traitor. He was a squire until three years ago when he was expelled from the apprentice knights for his treachery."

Astrid almost choked on her stew in her fury. The only treason had been that of Eret...and the squires who betrayed their duty to just ignore their Heir. And they were seeking to shift all blame to Hiccup-and then it struck her. They were hoping Viggo would capture the errant squire for them, little realising that the Lord Grimborn would have his own plans for her. And these self-serving idiots would betray her as well.

"So what do you want of us?" Ryker growled, chewing a leg of mutton, which Snotlout was eyeing with naked envy. The General watched him with a cruel smile and gestured to a servant, who dutifully collected one and placed it before the envious squire. Snotlout tucked in ravenously without a word of thanks or hesitation as his father rolled his eyes.

"Your help in capturing this villain," Thuggory told him conspiratorially. "You'd notice him when you saw him-tall, skinny, dark red-brown hair and green eyes..." Ryker gave a slow smile.

"Hmm...I may have seen someone like that pass through here," he murmured. "And he would travel with a young woman who would look to him for comfort..." Ryder's smile widened slightly.

"And the woman is Princess Astrid?" he checked. Spitelout nodded as the General stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I think we need to talk." Astrid ducked her head and slid out the back of the hall, speeding to her room and gathering her yet-to-be unpacked saddle bags. There was no way she was remaining in Reaper a moment longer. And she needed to find Hiccup and warn him as soon as she could-before Thuggory and Spitelout got their hands on him.

oOo

After a fast search of the fortress, Astrid found the missing 'squire' sitting in the stall with Fury and Stormfly, staring moodily at the floor and twirling a piece of straw in his left hand, seemingly lost in thought. Checking no one else was around, she slid in and slid down to sit by him, her lips tilting at his very pensive look.

"You okay?" she asked him clearly and was rewarded by him visibly jumping, the straw flying from his hands as he flinched. Emerald eyes wide, he scrabbled back before taking a few shuddering breaths.

"Um...just great, Milady," he murmured, looking downcast. "What-what are you doing here? Do you need something?" She stretched her legs out in front of her, waggling her toes in her fur-line boots and looking thoughtful.

"You know the squires have made it here?" she asked him and he nodded.

"I guessed, Milady-even if I hadn't heard them plotting to ambush me, silence me and blame me for kidnapping you...or was that enticing you away from your loving home?" There was ironic humour in his emerald gaze and she felt her lips tilt in a smile at his sarcasm.

"Well, it gets worse-because I think Viggo my have worked out who we are," she sighed.

"Lemme guess-Thuggory?" he said bitterly as she nodded, her eyes widening. "I think...he may not be the friend he claimed..." She slightly punched his shoulder and he winced before she turned to him and gently began to unwind the bandaged from around his head. 

"It's okay," she murmured as she felt him tense. "There-it looks fine-when it goes down, you won't see a thing..." Her fingers ghosted over his skin and a shiver ran down his spine. "But Thuggory was definitely leading the party with Captain Spitelout. He was the one describing you as the evil cunning traitor who enticed poor dim-witted Princess Astrid away..." Her tone was biting. 

"That is wrong on so many levels..." Hiccup sighed as he stared into her irritated eyes. "Like the enticing bit, for example. I doubt someone so far from the chivalric ideal could tempt her...and the Princess is a strong-willed and intelligent woman..." Unconsciously, her cheeks warmed.

"I..." she began but he stiffened as heavy steps closed and he guessed they were instants from discovery. So to Astrid's astonishment, he grabbed her, pressed her firmly back against the wooden panel that formed the wall of the stall...and kissed her...